Patents by Inventor Francis Cheung

Francis Cheung has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20050175029
    Abstract: Certain aspects of changing message filter coefficients dynamically in a packetized network system may comprise selecting a filter for filtering data in a first portion of an incoming data stream. At initiation of a new modification process, a determination may be made as to whether the selected filter is in use and if so, data read by the selected filter may be invalidated or otherwise not utilized for its intended purpose. A selected filter may be marked as being in use prior to being updated, indicating that there is no match for the selected filter. Filter coefficients for the selected filter may be updated while the selected filter is marked as being in use. Upon completion of updating the filter, the selected filter may be marked as not being in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Francis Cheung, Ut Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20050177845
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention may be found in one or more systems and/or methods to encapsulate or packetize non-MPEG and MPEG data. The encapsulation or packetization allows both the non-MPEG and MPEG data to be utilized by a set-top-box that conforms or complies with the OpenCable™ Advanced Multi-Stream POD Interface Specification and/or the OpenCable™ Multi-Stream CableCARD Interface Specification. In one embodiment, a method of processing video data, by a set-top-box that is communicatively coupled to a POD card, comprises receiving video data from a provider, first packetizing the video data using a first header to generate a first packet, wherein the first header comprises a first indicator. In one embodiment, a system for providing MPEG and non-MPEG video to a subscriber comprises a circuitry and a POD card capable of receiving, processing, and facilitating the display of non-MPEG and MPEG data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Kevin Patariu, Dan Simon, Francis Cheung
  • Publication number: 20050122335
    Abstract: A video, audio and graphics system uses multiple transport processors to receive in-band and out-of-band MPEG Transport streams, to perform PID and section filtering as well as DVB and DES decryption and to de-multiplex them. The system processes the PES into digital audio, MPEG video and message data. The system is capable of decoding multiple MPEG SLICEs concurrently. Graphics windows are blended in parallel, and blended with video using alpha blending. During graphics processing, a single-port SRAM is used equivalently as a dual-port SRAM. The video may include both analog video, e.g., NTSC/PAL/SECAM/S-video, and digital video, e.g., MPEG-2 video in SDTV or HDTV format. The system has a reduced memory mode in which video images are reduced in half in horizontal direction only during decoding. The system is capable of receiving and processing digital audio signals such as MPEG Layer 1 and Layer 2 audio and Dolby AC-3 audio, as well as PCM audio signals. The system includes a memory controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Alexander MacInnis, Chengfuh Tang, Xiaodong Xie, Greg Kranawetter, Vivian Hsiun, Francis Cheung, Sandeep Bhatia, Ramanujan Valmiki, Sathish Kumar
  • Publication number: 20050044175
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for processing information, specifically data packets. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for processing information, comprising determining if a first identifier associated with the information is acceptable and assigning a second identifier to the information. The method further includes determining a type of processing that is required using the second identifier and performing that type of processing on the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventor: Francis Cheung
  • Publication number: 20050039065
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for generating and using multiple synchronized local program timestamps in a media processing system. The system includes an input processor, one or more local timestamp insertion modules, one or more parsers, and an input buffer. Each local program timestamp module includes a clock reference recovery module, a local program clock synchronized to the system time clock of a program source, and a timestamp generator. The system also includes one or more processing modules such as record modules, transmission modules, and display modules. When a data packet is received by the media processing system, the local timestamp insertion module appends a timestamp to the data packet. The timestamp is based on the synchronized local program clock for the program associated with the data packet. The processing modules utilize the synchronized local timestamps and their associated local program clock in a variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Francis Cheung, Iue-Shuenn Chen, Ut Nguyen, Rajesh Mamidwar, Brian Schoner, Dan Simon
  • Publication number: 20050036515
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for demultiplexing video signals that have been combined using a time division multiplexing approach. The system includes synchronizers, parsers, demultiplexers, and an input buffer. Each demultiplexer within the system includes a header detect module, a slot map module, a frame sync module and a packet accept module. The method includes the steps of receiving an input stream that contains data packets for more than one program channel that have been combined in which packet identification (PID) information is used and a time division multiplexing scheme, such as transport stream multiplexing format (TSMF) is used. The PID and slot location for each packet is analyzed. Based on the PID and slot location a packet is either accepted or rejected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Francis Cheung, Iue-Shuenn Chen, Ut Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20050036516
    Abstract: A system and method for substituting data packets into a data stream, is provided. In one embodiment, the data stream is a video data stream. The system includes packet buffers, a multiplexer, a packet substitution controller, a direct memory access (DMA) engine and a link list buffer controller. A method is also provided for substituting data packets—containing information of the same or different type—into a video data stream at variable rates using a selection mechanism driven by link list buffer control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Francis Cheung, Ut Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6853385
    Abstract: A video, audio and graphics system uses multiple transport processors to receive in-band and out-of-band MPEG Transport streams, to perform PID and section filtering as well as DVB and DES decryption and to de-multiplex them. The system processes the PES into digital audio, MPEG video and message data. The system is capable of decoding multiple MPEG SLICEs concurrently. Graphics windows are blended in parallel, and blended with video using alpha blending. During graphics processing, a single-port SRAM is used equivalently as a dual-port SRAM. The video may include both analog video, e.g., NTSC/PAL/SECAM/S-video, and digital video, e.g., MPEG-2 video in SDTV or HDTV format. The system has a reduced memory mode in which video images are reduced in half in horizontal direction only during decoding. The system is capable of receiving and processing digital audio signals such as MPEG Layer 1 and Layer 2 audio and Dolby AC-3 audio, as well as PCM audio signals. The system includes a memory controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander G. MacInnis, Chengfuh Jeffrey Tang, Xiaodong Xie, Greg A. Kranawetter, Vivian Hsiun, Francis Cheung, Sandeep Bhatia, Ramanujan Valmiki, Sathish Kumar
  • Publication number: 20050028220
    Abstract: A television on a chip (TVOC) system that provides a cost effective approach for providing television functionality on a single integrated circuit chip is disclosed. A TVOC includes the functionality necessary to receive and display television signals in a variety of input and output formats. A TVOC can be used in set-top boxes for cable and satellite television, or directly within a television. All functionality provided can be provided on a single integrated circuit. TVOC includes a data transport module, an IF demodulator, a digital audio engine, an analog audio engine, a digital video engine, and an analog video engine. The TVOC also includes three sets of interfaces including output interfaces, control interfaces and ancillary interfaces. Further features and embodiments provide enhanced functionality and increased efficiencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: David Baer, Jeff Tingley, Aleksandr Movshovich, Brad Grossman, Brian Schoner, Chengfuh Tang, Chuck Monahan, Darren Neuman, David Wu, Francis Cheung, Greg Kranawetter, Hoang Nhu, Hsien-Chih Tseng, Iue-Shuenn Chen, James Sweet, Jeffrey Bauch, Keith Klingler, Patrick Law, Rajesh Mamidwar, Dan Simon, Sang Tran, Shawn Johnson, Steven Jaffe, Thu Nguyen, Ut Nguyen, Yao-Hua Tseng, Brad Delanghe, Ben Giese, Jason Demas, Lakshman Ramakrishnan, Sandeep Bhatia, Guang-Ting Shih, Tracy Denk
  • Publication number: 20040250096
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for memory to bus interface data encryption and decryption. A method for memory to bus interface data encryption and decryption may include encrypting data by a encryption/decryption engine or processor and transferring the encrypted data across a first bus interface to a data processing and/or storage device coupled to the first bus interface. The encryption engine may receive encrypted data from a device coupled to the first bus interface and decrypt the received encrypted data. In this regard, unencrypted data never traverses across the first bus interface, and is thereby not accessible to devices coupled to the first bus interface. An encryption function and a decryption function associated with the encryption/decryption engine may be integrated within a bus adapter, for example, an IDE bus adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Francis Cheung, Jason Monroe, Kevin Patariu, Iue-Shuenn Chen, Cynthia Dang, Mark Taylor Core
  • Publication number: 20040250097
    Abstract: An aspect of the of the invention may include the transfer of a block of data from a first memory location to a second memory location in a DRAM. During the transfer of the block of data from the first memory location, if an encryption mode is selected, the data may be buffered, encrypted, and then stored in the second memory location. If a decryption mode is selected, the transferred data may be buffered, decrypted and then stored in the second memory location. If a bypass mode is selected, the data may be buffered and then stored in the second memory location. In this regard, the encryption/decryption operations may be bypassed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Francis Cheung, Jason Monroe, Jay Kwok Wa Li, Kevin Patariu, Iue-Shuenn Chen
  • Patent number: 6781601
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for processing information, specifically data packets. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for processing information, comprising determining if a first identifier associated with the information is acceptable and assigning a second identifier to the information. The method further includes determining a type of processing that is required using the second identifier and performing that type of processing on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Francis Cheung
  • Publication number: 20040042457
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention may include replicating a first primary packet to create a second primary packet for a particular channel. A unique identifier may be assigned to the first primary packet and a different unique identifier may be assigned to the second primary packet. The first primary packet may be replicated in order to create a first secondary packet and the second primary packet may be replicated to create a second secondary packet. In response to the receipt of the new stream with replicated packets, the first or said second primary packet may be selected and the first or second secondary packet may be selected for a particular PID based on the assigned unique identifier. The selections may be done to co-relate the selected first and/or second primary packet with a legacy system or the selected first and/or second secondary packet with a new system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Iue-Shuenn Chen, Rajesh Mamidwar, Francis Cheung, Xuemin Chen
  • Publication number: 20040042459
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention include assigning a priority to a primary packet for a particular channel and replicating the primary packet to create a secondary packet for the particular channel. A primary packet may be selected in order to co-relate the primary packet to a legacy system. Similarly, a secondary packet may be selected in order to co-relate the secondary packet to a new system. The priority assigned to the primary packet may uniquely distinguish the primary packet from a priority of the other packets for the particular channel. The primary packet and the secondary packet may have the same priority and the same continuity counter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Iue-Shuenn Chen, Rajesh Mamidwar, Francis Cheung, Xuemin Chen
  • Publication number: 20040042494
    Abstract: A first primary packet to create a second primary packet for a particular PID. Different CRC checksum may be generated for the first and the second primary packet. The first primary packet may be replicated in order to create a first secondary packet and the second primary packet may be replicated to create a second secondary packet. The CRC checksum for the primary packets may be stored within their corresponding secondary packets. In response to receipt of a new stream with replicated packets, the first or said second primary packet may be selected and the first or second secondary packet may be selected for a particular PID based on the generated CRC checksum. The selections may co-relate the selected first and/or second primary packet with a legacy system or the selected first and/or second secondary packet with a new system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Iue-Shuenn Chen, Rajesh Mamidwar, Francis Cheung, Xuemin Chen (Sherman Chen)
  • Patent number: 6538656
    Abstract: A video and graphics system uses multiple transport processors to receive compressed data streams to perform PID and section filtering as well as DVB and DES decryption and to demultiplex them. The compressed data streams may include in-band and out-of-band MPEG Transport streams. The video and graphics system processes the PES into digital audio, MPEG video and message data. A core transport processor includes a PCR recovery module for extracting PCRs contained in the compressed data streams and for providing the extracted PCRs to a video transport processor and an audio decode processor. The PCR recovery module has a direct load capability for receiving user defined PCRs and outputting them instead of outputting the extracted PCRs. The PCR recovery module extracts PCRs from both MPEG Transport streams and DIRECTV transport streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Cheung, Carolyn B. Walker, Glen A. Grover, Ben S. Giese
  • Publication number: 20030035650
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for switching between a live video decoding and a recorded playback in a digital video and recording system. A received video data stream is transmitted to a first-in first-out video decoder buffer without first looping the video data stream through a playback buffer. The video data stream is transmitted from the video decoder buffer to a video decoder. If a “pause” command is received, the video data stream is transmitted to a first-in first-out playback buffer, while continuing to transmit the video data stream to the video decoder buffer. Transmission of the video data stream to the video decoder buffer is halted when the video decoder buffer fills up. The last byte of the video data stream that was transmitted to the video decoder buffer is marked. If a “play” command is received, the video data stored in the video decoder buffer is transmitted to the video decoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Jason Demas, Marcus Kellerman, Francis Cheung, Sherman (Xuemin) Chen
  • Publication number: 20020106018
    Abstract: A single chip set-top box system and method is provided. The system comprises, for example, a transceiver, an audio/video decoder, a CPU, peripherals, DAVIC MAC and a graphics processor. The transceiver receives a digitally modulated compressed audio/video signal, and the audio/video decoder receives the compressed audio/video signal from the transceiver and decompresses the compressed audio/video signal. The graphics processor blends the decompressed audio/video signal with graphics to generate a blended video image with audio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Lionel D'Luna, Francis Cheung
  • Publication number: 20020093517
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for processing information, specifically data packets. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for processing information, comprising determining if a first identifier associated with the information is acceptable and assigning a second identifier to the information. The method further includes determining a type of processing that is required using the second identifier and performing that type of processing on the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Francis Cheung
  • Patent number: 5467342
    Abstract: Packets of data, some of which may carry a timestamp value, are transmitted through an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network. Prior to transmission, each packet of data is encapsulated in a respective convergence sublayer protocol data unit (CS-PDU) having a header portion and a payload portion. The header portion of each CS-PDU contains a time correction indicator (TCI), which indicates whether the CS-PDU carries a packet of data having a timestamp value that may require correction after the CS-PDU passes through the network, and a time reference correction (TRC) field. Each CS-PDU is then segmented into a plurality of successive segments; a first one of the segments of each CS-PDU contains the CS-PDU header. Each segment is then inserted into the payload section of a respective ATM cell for transmission through the network. At each node in the network, cells are examined to determine if they contain a CS-PDU header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Logston, Anthony J. Wasilewski, Maynard Hammond, Francis Cheung